The Wolves of Ossory

13. The Kings' Secrets

Maeve

I ran like my life depended on it, Aila howling in anger and sorrow. The moon was hanging high in the sky, as if Selene herself were mocking us. Aila could hear Elias howling, commanding her to stop, but I told her to keep pushing.

A week ago we were here, running this same path, feeling like our whole life was about to finally start. Queens! That was what we were to become. And now what? Alma was foolish to challenge the High Chamber with such a preposterous notion. We've met all the eligible men. We've traveled to countless lands!

I felt as if I could've prevented this, as if taking Dominique as my chosen mate would have prevented all of this from happening. If I hadn't been so damn stubborn and arrogant! I hated having to admit a council of mostly men were right. But here I was, without a crown and soon, without a kingdom. Aila let me know that Elias was closing in on us.

Let him. We aren't stopping. I voiced to her. She grunted in agreement, continuing up the mountain.

Maeve, please. Let us talk! Magnus echoed through the link.

Leave me be! Haven't I gone through enough tonight?! I replied. Aila was fast, but Elias caught up, nipping at her heels. She whimpered slightly before snapping back. I appreciated my feisty wolf for not backing down. We were so close to our spot, our one happy place left.

Elias jumped in front of Aila, his aura projecting from him to submit her. Aila whined slightly, her ears lying flat on her head but, she stood her ground.

Submit! Elias growled. Aila stood tall, projecting her own aura back at my father and his wolf. This took him aback, Elias perking his ears up, stunned. She took a step forward.

Step aside, Elias. she commanded, snarling at the great brown wolf standing in her way. Elias narrowed his eyes at her, but bowed and let us pass. I was immensely impressed, shocked into silence within Aila's mind.

She strode forward, bounding the rest of the way to our rocky lookout. Elias had followed, keeping his distance. Aila sat, gazing over our land. Our beloved kingdom. She threw her head back, howling for our loss today and cursing the Moon Goddess for bestowing such a fate upon us.

Elias stood beside her, joining in on her ballad of woes and soon, the kingdom came to life with the replies of hundreds of wolves hearing the cry of their king and princess, their hearts breaking.

After a few moments of silence passed, the sound of wolves howling died down. Aila let me have control and I shifted back. Magnus shifted as well and I turned away respectfully.

"You know, your mother and I used to come here quite a bit before you girls were born. We stashed a few clothes in the boulder, just in case." he said, and I heard rustling signifying that he had made his way to the pile of large rocks. A very large t-shirt hit the back of my head and I threw it on. It fell just below my knees and smelt like my father. He had a pair of cloth shorts on. We sat with our thoughts a bit longer, our feet dangling over the rock and floating above our palace. You could see the still frozen waterfall a ways beneath.

"I just can't believe she did that," I finally murmured, feeling tears sting my eyes.

" She didn't know, Maeve. I failed her in not teaching her on these matters," Magnus sighed, twirling the end of his mustache.

"Why did you just stand by and let them do this to us!" I asked him.

"Maeve, the High Chamber has a sort of power we cannot disobey. Their judgment cannot be influenced by your mother and I. It's the agreement made by our forefathers. This deal, the one Alma struck, is going to be a dangerous one. You will have to travel very far to find answers. Come, we will speak of this in a more safe place." Magnus extended his hand to me, pulling me to my feet. We made our way back to the palace in silence.

After changing into some more suitable clothing, I made my way out of my room and out to the black waterfall. I felt exhausted, having not slept since the morning of the coronation disaster. The palace was quiet as our guests had retired to their rooms hours ago.

I waited, as instructed, until I saw Magnus emerge from the eastern wing, Alma at his side. I bristled slightly, still upset with her for earlier. She averted her eyes from mine as well, sensing the hostility. Magus had told me to remain quiet, not a word to be spoken. We moved swiftly around the waterfall so that we looked at it from the backside. Alma stood guard on one side, me on the other. I had no idea what was going on as father did not specify the significance of this part of our palace. I heard clicking and clacking, like he was moving the rocks in a complicated manor. After three loud clicks, I heard what sounded like rock grinding against rock.

Girls, turn around and follow me quickly and quietly. He linked to both Alma and I. We both backed up before turning and running after our father. Once in the cracked entrance, Magnus pushed the small opening closed, leaving us in complete darkness. My eyes adjusted after a moment and I could just barely make out Alma and my father. This corridor was tight, only fitting two people side by side and squeezing Magnus slightly. He struggled to turn around and make his way to the front to guide us.

You must remain quiet until I tell you otherwise. The passage is narrow and very uncomfortable. Trust your senses and follow closely. He commanded through our minds. We both obeyed and followed him through this winding tunnel. It seemed to get narrower, then wider and went on for what felt like forever in a circle angling downward. I felt a bit claustrophobic as time seemed to drag on, my breathing getting shallow and short.

Trust our senses, Maeve. We are fine. Aila assured me. Just breathe. I am with you.

I focused on counting my breaths as we scurried on silently. The only sound to be heard was our beating hearts. The passage widened and we all funneled into an arched room. Magnus retrieved a key from his pocket, feeling around for the keyhole. Once he found it, he turned the key and a rounded door sunk in slightly, rolling away and revealing another dark room. I followed behind Alma as we entered the threshold after Magnus. He turned, using a separate key to place in another hidden keyhole that sealed the door.

Magnus let out a heavy breath. "Faire jaillir la lumière," he spoke aloud in our ancient, native language. Lanterns slowly glowed to life around us, warmly caressing the room. We were in a dusty, old-looking library with hundreds of books. Some glistened with golden spines, some with a deep teal, some with an iridescent white.

"What is this place?" Alma inquired, gaping at the beautiful room.

"This is a room I would have shown you had the coronation been successful. It is tradition to sit vigil in this room for the first night of your inauguration, studying and learning about our history. The real history, the one kept from our world and only passed down to the royal heirs. The reason I have brought you here, is because I do not trust the High Chamber. I do not trust Desmond. You two are the rightful rulers. You have always been the queens in my eyes and you will continue to be the queens," Magnus stated, moving to the middle of the room to sit in one of the love seats, motioning for us to sit in the two chairs across from him. On the coffee table between us, he unraveled a series of maps.

"What I will be telling you is of upmost secrecy. I will be telling you the history of the War to End Wars."